The length of waits for patients in need of cataract surgery in Clare is on a downward trend.
Figures compiled by the UL Hospitals Group have revealed that the opening of a new Ophthalmology Centre at Nenagh Hospital has had a positive impact on these waiting times for those in the Midwest.
July of last year saw the new Ophthalmology Centre open at Nenagh hospital; one of the UL Hospitals Group facilities here in the Midwest.
It marks the only stand-alone, high-volume, consultant-led theatre in the region and sees patients from Clare and Limerick treated, as well as those in Tipperary.
The total number of patients waiting for a procedure has reduced from 647 to 315 in the 15 months since the theatre there opened.
The number of patients waiting longer than 12 months has decreased from 134 to 21; while the average wait time for patients on the inpatient/day case waiting list has reduced to four months – and continues to fall.
By the end of this year, it’s expected in the region of 1,400 patients will have undergone procedures at the facility.
